Constitutional Monarchy In France: Why It Failed

The French Revolution (1789-1799) saw the end of the monarchy in France and the establishment of a republic. The revolution was sparked by rising bread prices and the general financial instability of the country, which led to the mobilisation of the third estate and the famous Tennis Court Oath. The period of constitutional monarchy lasted from 1791 to 1792, during which King Louis XVI had only a fraction of the power he had previously held as an absolute monarch. The failure of the constitutional monarchy in France can be attributed to several factors, including the king's ambivalent attitude towards the revolution, his attempted escape, and the increasing radicalism of the revolution.

Explore related products

Edward III (Penguin Monarchs): A Heroic Failure

$5.99 $17.99

Dying to Get In: A Film by Brett Tolley

$9.95

Vimy Underground

$2.99

The Collapse of Constitutional Remedies (Inalienable Rights)

$15.98 $33.99

The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse

$23.95

How to Save a Constitutional Democracy

$15.95 $23

Louis XVI's escape attempt

On the night of 20-21 June 1791, King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, and their children attempted to escape from Paris, in what became known as the Flight to Varennes. The royal family left the Tuileries Palace, where they had been under virtual house arrest, and made their way towards Montmédy, a fortress near the German border with a strong garrison of royalist troops. The escape was planned by Count Axel von Fersen, a favourite of Marie Antoinette, and Baron de Breteuil, who had the support of the King of Sweden.

The escape plan was for the royal family to travel in two light carriages, which would have allowed them to make the 200-mile journey relatively quickly. However, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette rejected this plan as they did not want to be separated. This decision, along with other delays, put the royal family behind schedule and contributed to their discovery and arrest.

The king was recognised by Jean-Baptiste Drouet, the postmaster of Sainte-Menehould, who sounded the alarm. The king and his family were arrested in Varennes-en-Argonne, just 50 kilometres from their destination, and returned to Paris. The failure of the escape attempt damaged the credibility of the king as a constitutional monarch, and increased public distrust and hatred of the monarchy. It also alarmed European monarchs, who feared that revolutionary fervour would spread to their own countries.

The King's indecision

The French Revolution (1789-1799) saw the country shift from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, and then to a republic. King Louis XVI, who had ruled as an absolute monarch, became a constitutional monarch in 1791, ruling in consultation with his people rather than over them.

Louis XVI's indecision and ambivalence towards the Revolution played a significant role in the failure of the constitutional monarchy. Initially, the King refused to recognize the Third Estate deputies as the "National Assembly". However, he later agreed to become a constitutional monarch and participated in celebrations marking the anniversary of the taking of the Bastille. Despite this, he locked the delegates of the Third Estate out of their meeting space after they reaffirmed their demands in the Tennis Court Oath. This ambivalent posture continued throughout the process of drafting the new constitution, which lasted until the summer of 1791.

Louis XVI's indecision extended beyond his stance on the Revolution. The King's escape attempt, known as the "Flight to Varennes", demonstrated his wavering commitment to the constitutional monarchy. In late June 1791, he fled to Luxembourg, intending to raise an army. However, he was stopped at the border and brought back to Paris. This attempt to regain his lost powers undermined the progress made towards a constitutional monarchy and indicated that the King was out of touch with the popular sentiment favoring change.

In conclusion, the failure of the constitutional monarchy in France can be attributed in large part to the indecision of King Louis XVI. His ambivalent stance towards the Revolution, his escape attempt, and his unpopularity with the French people all contributed to the ultimate collapse of the constitutional monarchy and the rise of the republic.

The outbreak of war

The emigres, in close contact with Louis XVI's wife, Marie Antoinette, and the Austrian Committee, sought foreign assistance to overthrow the revolution. Marie Antoinette corresponded with her brother, seeking help, and even sent French war plans to the Austrians. This prompted Austria, which viewed France as weak and unable to defend itself due to the flight of many officers, to enter the war.

Britain also had interests in countering the new republic in France, seeing it as a threat to the Austrian Netherlands, which possessed ports that could be used against Britain. Additionally, the radical Parisian press expressed intense hostility towards the monarchy, further undermining the credibility of the constitutional monarchy.

The war with Austria, coupled with the King's "Flight to Varennes," where he attempted to flee to Belgium, demonstrated the King's rejection of the constitutional monarchy and his desire to reclaim absolute power. These events ultimately led to the invasion of the Tuileries Palace on 10 August 1792, where the King was arrested and deposed, marking a pivotal moment in the failure of the constitutional monarchy in France.

Explore related products

Fateful Hours: The Collapse of the Weimar Republic

$35 $33.25

The Constitution of the United States of America: The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights

$9.99 $9.99

The Allegiance Paradox: Beyond the Law - How Ethical Erosion and Policy Drift Undermine American Citizenship (The Collapse of Trust Book 1)

$9.99 $22.95

Corporate Collapse and Corporate Governance: Analysis from Corporate Constitutional Perspective (CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance)

$179

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Broken State, Collapse of Law, Human Rights Violations, Veil of Injustice and Constitutional Smokescreens—A Case ... against a Postcolonial Dictatorship

$3.99 $24.99

The Panic of 1819: The First Great Depression (Studies in Constitutional Democracy)

$32 $24.95

The activity of political clubs

The French Revolution saw the emergence of political clubs, which became de facto political parties that set agendas and influenced decisions in the legislature. These clubs were a new form of political activity, arising from the newfound freedom of expression and assembly. They originated from informal social gatherings and intellectual associations in the latter half of the eighteenth century, which typically avoided politics as a forbidden topic.

One of the earliest and most important political clubs was the Breton Club, which was formed in 1789 and later became the Jacobin Club. The Jacobins initially supported the constitution and constitutional monarchy, but a minority of its members held more radical views. The Jacobins were known for their commitment to independence, courage, and the public good, and they opposed the aristocracy. While the Jacobins initially dominated politics, they eventually split in July 1791, with the constitutional monarchists leaving to form the Feuillants, and those who remained falling under the influence of republicans like Brissot and Robespierre.

Another notable club was the Society of 1789, formed by constitutional monarchists who left the Jacobins due to their growing radicalism. This group included politically powerful and wealthy individuals, such as the Marquis de Lafayette and Honore Mirabeau. Their meetings resembled elite social gatherings, with fine dining and drinks served in an exclusive setting.

The Cordeliers, on the other hand, were a populist and democratic group based in working-class Paris. They focused on protecting individual rights and freedoms, with the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity." They were sympathetic to the working class and vigilant against abuses and corruption.

The activities of these political clubs contributed to the failure of the constitutional monarchy in France. The Jacobins, for example, initially supported Louis XVI but later lent their support to a petition to dethrone him, demonstrating the shifting political landscape and the king's loss of support. The clubs' influence and ability to shape decisions contributed to the instability and eventual collapse of the constitutional monarchy.

The split in the church

The French Revolution (1789-1792) saw the end of the French monarchy and the rise of a constitutional monarchy, which was short-lived. The constitutional monarchy was established in 1791, with the aim of retaining the monarchy while granting limited powers to the monarch and according representation to royalists. However, the period was marked by instability, and the monarchy ultimately collapsed.

One significant factor contributing to the failure of the constitutional monarchy in France was the split that occurred within the church. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy, proposed on 12 July 1790, brought about significant reforms to the Catholic Church, aligning it more closely with the ideals of the revolution. These reforms included making clergymen state employees and reducing the number of bishops. An Oath of Loyalty was forced on 27 November 1790, which was taken by 55% of the church. However, when the Pope condemned the oath in May 1791, many retracted their oaths, creating two factions within the church: one that accepted the revolution and its changes, and another that rejected them.

This division had far-reaching consequences, as it forced people to choose between their religious beliefs and their loyalty to the revolution. It also presented a dilemma for King Louis XVI, who now had to decide between his role as the head of the Catholic Church in France and his commitment to the revolutionary ideals. This conflict created a further split among the French people, exacerbating existing tensions and making it difficult for the king to maintain his position as a figure supported by all.

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy highlighted the king's inability to commit to the monarchy and the revolution simultaneously. By failing to navigate this complex situation effectively, Louis XVI appeared incapable of making difficult decisions and governing the country. This perception contributed to his declining popularity and the erosion of support for the constitutional monarchy.

Furthermore, the split in the church contributed to the overall instability of the period. The conflict within the church mirrored the broader divisions in French society, with some embracing revolutionary ideals while others resisted them. This instability was compounded by the king's ambivalent stance towards the revolution, as he wavered between supporting and opposing the changes. For example, while he agreed to become a constitutional monarch, ruling in consultation with his people, he also locked out delegates of the Third Estate who demanded voting by head rather than by order, demonstrating his reluctance to fully embrace the revolutionary ideals.

In conclusion, the split in the church during the French Revolution significantly contributed to the failure of the constitutional monarchy. It forced people to choose between religion and revolution, presenting the king with a difficult dilemma and further eroding his popularity. The inability to navigate this crisis effectively highlighted the monarchy's weakness and instability, ultimately leading to its collapse.

Frequently asked questions